as in tears
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
over the years the historic flag had become badly ribboned by the wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ribbons
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The ribbons also help bird-watchers keep track of the white terns, as does an online map.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
According to animal rights advocates, balloons can be harmful to birds and marine life, such as fish and turtles, who can mistake the balloon debris for food and get entangled in ribbons.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Or mixed up the sausage filling and Justin’s potato into a kind of hash brown patty, fried them off like Brittany did with the livermush crostini last week, cut up the collard greens into ribbons, and put that on top of the potato and pork?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
In his mind’s eye, the 68-year-old former rancher sees a meadow that once rippled with ribbons of grass, on which black Brangus cows feasted but are here no more.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Drawing inspiration from Italian stracciatella and Chinese egg drop soups, two of my all-time favorites, the broth is lightly seasoned, then bolstered with leafy greens and gingery egg ribbons.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
The ribbons are now being worn by employees at El Charro, the Tucson restaurant where Guthrie had lunch with her daughters just months before her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
The light forced its way in, slicing past the shades in hot white ribbons that burned across the kitchen.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The ribbons also help bird-watchers keep track of the white terns, as does an online map.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
According to animal rights advocates, balloons can be harmful to birds and marine life, such as fish and turtles, who can mistake the balloon debris for food and get entangled in ribbons.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Or mixed up the sausage filling and Justin’s potato into a kind of hash brown patty, fried them off like Brittany did with the livermush crostini last week, cut up the collard greens into ribbons, and put that on top of the potato and pork?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
In his mind’s eye, the 68-year-old former rancher sees a meadow that once rippled with ribbons of grass, on which black Brangus cows feasted but are here no more.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Drawing inspiration from Italian stracciatella and Chinese egg drop soups, two of my all-time favorites, the broth is lightly seasoned, then bolstered with leafy greens and gingery egg ribbons.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
The ribbons are now being worn by employees at El Charro, the Tucson restaurant where Guthrie had lunch with her daughters just months before her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ribbons
Noun
-
Customers can order $5 fish tacos, the $10 New England-style poutine with clam chowder, bacon, two types of cheeses, fries and clams, $10 coconut chicken strips and an $11 smash burger.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The artist created these tabletop works by slicing disks of walnut into identically sized strips and reassembling the pieces to form undulating fans.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.—
Rai Mincey,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump admin official shreds NY Times over multiple corrections to report on Silicon Valley initiative.—
,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables and continue to cook until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ribbons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ribbons. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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